Social Worker Walked Free On Crime Clan Drugs Rap

A social worker who runs a home for troubled teens was charged by police over a drug haul linked to the Lyons crime clan. Gavin Harper is deputy unit manager at East Dunbartonshire Council children’s unit in Lenzie.

But two years ago, he was arrested with Stephen Lyons, William Paterson Jr and Paterson’s mother, Susan.

Drugs squad officers nicked the trio over a £185,000 heroin and cannabis haul. At the time, Harper was in a relationship with Mrs Paterson and failed to notify his bosses of his arrest.

Only Paterson Jr was convicted and was jailed for 30 months. He also admitted ownership of £63,000 of drugs money found in the home of family boss Eddie Lyons Sr, 48. Charges against Harper, Lyons and Susan Paterson were marked “no proceedings”.

Lyons’ nephew Michael was shot dead in a feud with rival drugs gang the Daniels last month – one of 11 shootings in the last five months. In a bizarre twist, another employee at the centre is linked to the Daniel crime clan.

Claire Duffy, senior residential social worker, is the partner of gangster Craig Gallagher, a Daniel clan associate. Duffy and Gallagher witnessed the shooting of Daniel hoods Kevin ‘Gerbil’ Carroll, 26, and Ross Sherlock, 25, in Bishopbriggs. Although they survived, the gunmen killed Duffy’s dog. Duffy’s brother Edward, 32, was murdered in February this year but the death is not linked to the feud.

There is concern that children, some with a history of abuse, drug and alcohol problems, are being cared for by Duffy and Harper. One source said: “The fact these two people have links to these events does give huge cause for concern.”

A spokeswoman for East Dunbartonshire Council said: “All employees working with children and young people are subject to rigorous checks. It would be inappropriate for us to comment on individuals.”